Wirral woman earns place in Royal Navy's Submarine Service

Lieutenants Maxine Stiles, Alexandra Olsson and Penny Thackray who have made history by becoming the first female submariners to serve in the Royal Navy. CPOA(Phot) Thomas McDonald/MoD/Crown Copyright/PA Wire

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A submariner from Merseyside has made history by becoming one of the first females to serve in the Royal Navy’s Submarine Service.

Lieutenant Alexandra Olsson is one of three women to have completed months of specialised training and earn a place in the 110-year-old service.

The 26-year-old was commended by defence secretary Philip Hammond, who described her success as “a huge personal achievement.”

Lt Olsson, from Tranmere, was inspired to volunteer to serve on submarines after childhood visits to see HMS Onyx at the Maritime Museum in Birkenhead.

Along with Lt Maxine Stiles and Lt Penny Thackray, the three have earned their “Dolphins” – the clasp worn by qualified submariners – becoming the first women in the history of the Navy’s Submarine Service.

The three completed their training on the nuclear-powered Vanguard-class submarine HMS Vigilant, and at the end celebrated with a reception from the 165 male members of the 168-member crew.

Delighted to be breaking new ground for the service, Lt Olsson said: “I felt like a little sister to 165 brothers. You live as a very strange family. Once we got qualified they were glad for us the same way they had been glad for hundreds of submariners before.

“At the end of the day manpower is a big thing for the Navy – as long as you can do the job, it doesn’t matter. Of course it’s been challenging, but women are absolutely capable of doing this job. I think that change can always be a bit of a shock, but I look forward to seeing more and more women getting on board.”

Describing the living conditions on board, she said: “It’s a bit of an odd place to live – everything smells the same, it all has this diesel oily smell which you have to get used to. But it’s not a horrible place to live. “I managed to have a shower every day, we had laundry facilities. there was gym equipment. And food becomes a massive part of your day. It’s a routine you get in to.”

For years women were unable to serve on submarines because of possible health risks but, after a review found only pregnant women should not serve, the ban was lifted in December 2011.

Mr Hammond said: “This is not only a huge personal achievement for these three outstanding officers, as they take up their new roles supporting the ultimate safeguard of our national security, but also an historic moment for the Royal Navy and our armed forces.”